Tinley Park parcel going to the dogs

Work at park expected to begin this year

July 15, 2013|By Dennis Sullivan, Special to the Tribune

The director of the Tinley Park Park District is hoping to begin excavating land, installing drainage pipes and erecting fences this year for a seven-acre dog park about a half-mile west of the Tinley Park Public Library.

John Curran said construction of separate sections for large and small dogs, a water line for a doggie drinking fountain, a one-acre dog pond and paved and shaded shelters for two-legged companions should be completed next year.

Also in 2014, the district intends to install a 10-foot-wide swath of prairie grass along the interior of the fencing to discourage dogs from running along the fence and construct a 31-car parking lot on four adjacent acres of the 11-acre site north of the Rock Island Line.

First the village must approve the park's new site plan and its move to Radcliffe Place's southeast corner. Developers Gallagher and Henry have agreed to the park's new location.

Although land use was the primary reason for the relocation, moving the park from its original location in the subdivision's northeast corner also shifts noise farther from subdivision residents, Curran said.

By the same token, "being near the tracks is a plus," he said, noting the nearby wetlands also buffer the site.

Village Plan Commission members are expected to make formal recommendations after a public hearing scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Village Hall.

In a related action, the district opened Community Park and Lions Park to dogs on leashes in March. Curran said after a year had passed, the district would evaluate "whether there were more problems than when we previously didn't allow dogs."

Admission to the new dog park will require an access card, obtained by showing proof of vaccinations and paying a fee.

After opening the exterior gate, the off-leash animal will enter via an "exchange" gate, preventing dogs inside from getting out.

Curran anticipates 35 to 40 dogs using the park at one time. That estimate seemed in line with the 590 municipal dog licenses purchased in 2013 by village residents.

"Usually people let their dogs run for an hour, and then they're gone," said Curran, adding that some people schedule their visits to coincide with visits by their pets' pals.

"It's almost like a play date," he said.

In the interest of prolonging plant life, the dog park will include a land-recovery section.

Rotating the dogs among the three sections every two weeks means the individual areas "would get only a little bit of damage," Curran said. "None of the areas would be severely beaten down."

Speaking last week to plan commissioners about the dog park, Curran said: "You're not really spending (the money) for the dogs. You're spending it for the dog owners. It's a very sociable atmosphere. It is the No. 1 request we get."